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McCarthy's injury gives Mathis a shot

McCarthy's injury gives Mathis a shot

By Daniel Paulling
/
MLB.com |

ARLINGTON -- Brandon McCarthy is headed onto the disabled list for several weeks, and that leaves the Rangers' rotation unsettled.

Doug Mathis will make an emergency start Tuesday, which was McCarthy's regularly scheduled turn. Mathis was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday to join the Rangers' bullpen. Mathis was 4-2 with a 2.89 ERA in Triple-A. His 2.89 ERA ranked ninth in the Pacific Coast League.

Mathis, who was drafted in the 13th round in 2005 (2009 Draft coverage Tuesday night, live on MLB.com and MLB Network, begins at 5 p.m. CT), pitched in eight games (four starts) with the Rangers last season. He posted a 6.85 ERA in 22 1/3 innings. He made his season debut Saturday, pitching one shutout inning against the Red Sox. He missed three months last season and had surgery to remove an inflamed bursa sac in his right shoulder.

On McCarthy, the Rangers announced McCarthy a stress fracture in his right shoulder blade and will be out for "several weeks."

"It's not what I wanted to hear at this point," McCarthy said. "It's just frustrating because it's frustrating, regardless of the circumstances. I wanted to put this off as long as I could."

McCarthy's injury may give Mathis an extended look in the rotation.

"It's been nine days since I last started," Mathis said. "I've been starting all year, so there shouldn't be a problem.

"I've wanted to start, go out there and pitch."

Starter Matt Harrison, meanwhile, may be inching toward a return. He threw a bullpen session that lasted about 20 minutes Monday and said he felt fine. Harrison threw 41 pitches in a three-inning rehab start Saturday with Double-A Frisco.

He doesn't know where his next start will be.

"I'm either starting in Frisco or here on Thursday," Harrison said. "They'll let me know. They want me throwing about 70 pitches. It felt like it did the other day."

He has posted a 5.43 ERA in nine starts covering 54 1/3 innings this season.

Harrison hopes to be able to throw 90-95 pitches once he returns. Pitching coach Mike Maddux says that starters can add about 20 pitches in consecutive outings. Using that, Harrison could start in next Tuesday's home opener against the Astros.

However, circumstances may dictate him starting Thursday. That would be Derek Holland's turn in the rotation, but Holland may be pushed to the bullpen when Harrison returns.

Kris Benson made two starts for the Rangers, but was moved to the bullpen after returning from right elbow issues on May 6. He has been unhappy with his time in the bullpen, but isn't expected to rejoin the rotation.

Pitching matchupTEX: RHP Doug Mathis (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Mathis will be making his first start of the season Tuesday against the Blue Jays. The Rangers called him up Wednesday, and he pitched a scoreless inning Saturday against the Red Sox. With Triple-A Oklahoma City, Mathis was 4-2 with a 2.89 ERA and 38 strikeouts. His ERA ranked him ninth in the Pacific Coast League at the time of his callup. Mathis went 1-2 last season with the Rangers and posted a 6.85 ERA in eight games (four starts).

TOR: LHP Brian Tallet (3-3, 4.54 ERA)
Tallet's run of six consecutive quality starts came to an end Thursday, as he gave up five runs (all earned) in six innings against the Angels at Rogers Centre en route to a no-decision in a game the Jays eventually lost, 6-5. Three of the runs came in the opening frame, marking the second consecutive game in which Tallet has given up three runs in the first two innings. He allowed six hits -- the second most he's given up this season -- and issued three walks, recording six strikeouts.

Tidbits
The Rangers are 4-1-1 in their past six home series. ... Rangers are 178-172 all-time against the Blue Jays. ... The Rangers have been in first place for 34 consecutive days (including off days). ... Manager Ron Washington says Mathis won't be on any sort of pitch count in his first start of the season Tuesday. ... After Tuesday's game, the Rangers had yet to decide where Harrison will be pitching Thursday.